8 incredible reasons for moving to the UK
The US and the UK have enjoyed a "special relationship" since around 1815. This term makes it sound like the countries are spouses, but the reality isn't far off. In times of conflict, they grow closer, and they've swapped hundreds of thousands of their citizens over the years.
If you're thinking about moving to the UK from the US or another country, you couldn't choose a better place. There are many benefits to moving to a country like the UK, including the language and the strong currency.
But if you're still on the fence, here are some other top reasons why planning a move to the UK is the right decision.
1. Amazing Cities and Culture
Moving to the UK will spoil you because it's one nation made up of four different countries. That also means four capital cities and thousands of years' worth of culture!
England's capital London offers residents tons of royal palaces, free museums (yes, most of the UK's museums are free!), and beautiful parks. You could spend your days sipping pints of lager in 17th-century pubs and your nights watching theater in the West End.
Edinburgh in Scotland feels more like a tight-knit town than a city. You can walk through the small cobbled lanes and see the mighty Edinburgh Castle from every direction. Cardiff in Wales and Belfast in Northern Ireland also offer historic castles, cool accents, and cosmopolitan city life.
It won't be difficult to pass a British citizenship test at https://www.citizenshipbritish.com/ when you're surrounded by history everywhere in the country!
2. Beautiful Countryside
There are plenty of things to do outside of the main cities in the UK. There are 15 national parks across the four nations and plenty of official Areas of Natural Beauty. These are some of the most popular ones:
- Lake District in England
- The Brecon Beacons in Wales
- The Cairngorms in Scotland
- New Forest in England
- Snowdonia in Wales
- Loch Lomond and the Trossachs in Scotland
In these parks, you can go hiking wherever you like. Plus, wild camping is legal in Scotland, so you can pitch a tent wherever you want. You can also visit some of the best places in the UK that Jane Austen and William Wordsworth wrote about and called home.
3. Free Healthcare
Organizing insurance to protect yourself and your family is one of the biggest headaches in the moving process. But you don't have to worry about this when you move to the UK because healthcare is free.
Since 1948, the UK's National Health Service (NHS) has offered free medical care to everyone who lives there. This includes both citizens and residents.
It might not be the best healthcare service in the world, but it does offer total peace of mind knowing you will never have to decide between your health and your finances.
4. World-Class Education
Want to study physics where Ernest Rutherford split the first atom? Or study theater in the land of Shakespeare or at the second oldest university in the world? Then the UK can offer all this and more at its world-renowned universities.
If you have been a resident in the UK for over three years, you will gain access to the local, cheaper tuition rates. Even better, if you live in Scotland for over three years before applying, you won't need to pay a dime because tuition is free in that country.
Unlike the US, bachelor's degrees in the UK only take three years to complete. That's not because they are inferior but because they are much more focused.
5. Delicious Comfort Food
Food in the UK gets a bad rap from other countries. And yes, some of the dishes aren't very popular, but there is still a lot to love about British comfort food. Here are some of the best traditional British dishes you should try:
- Scones with jam and cream
- Fish and chips
- Shepherd's pies (not an actual pie)
- Cornish pasties (more like a pie)
- Sunday roast dinner
- Bangers and mash
- Fried breakfast
Eating any of these dishes on a cold day (of which there are many in the UK) is like receiving a big carb-laded hug—if you don't feel like cooking, then making Heinz beans on toast will still hit the spot.
6. Fantastic Entertainment
Doctor Who, Downton Abbey, The Great British Baking Show, Killing Eve, The Crown, and Outlander. Do you need any more examples of fantastic British TV shows that are so good people from around the world love them too?
There are many fantastic TV shows and films that don't make it across the pond! If you move to the UK, you'll quickly learn that you were missing out on some great entertainment.
7. More Travel Opportunities
People who live in big states like Texas love telling people that they can drive for six hours and still be in Texas. If you move to the UK, the entire continent of Europe will be at your fingertips.
Granted, it's a little more challenging to travel to most European countries from the UK now Brexit has happened. But you are still only a drive away from France and Ireland. You can also hop on a short-haul flight to places like Spain and Greece if you're craving sunshine.
8. Classic British Humor
British people have a reputation for being polite, but they also have a filthy, dry, and sarcastic sense of humor. Sometimes you won't even know when a British person is telling a joke because they will say it with a straight face. They are masters of irony and love making fun of themselves and their loved ones.
But you shouldn't take it to heart! If a British person makes fun of you, it likely means that they consider you a close friend.
Moving to the UK Could Be the Best Thing You Ever Did
Leaving your comfort zone, exploring more of the world, and embracing new opportunities is never a mistake. So if you weren't sure about moving to the UK before, you won't be now. Say goodbye to chips, movie theaters, and sweaters, and hello to crisps, cinemas, and jumpers!
Moving abroad will allow you to travel to places you could only dream of visiting before. Browse our travel articles for more adventure inspiration, and make sure to take this British citizenship test preparation course to make the move as easy as can be!
